Restoration Hardware ready to reset stores

Corte Madera, CA — After months of strategy discussions, Restoration Hardware will see its plan become reality April 9th, when remodeled and re-merchandised stores will be unveiled — along with a re-designed catalog and web site.

Along with new fixturing and layouts, the stores will have 60 percent new merchandise, which will have been shipped to the stores only ten days before, Gary Friedman, ceo, told attendees at a Bear Stearns conference in New York. The company also looks to clarify its message by slashing its sku count by 30 percent.

Home textiles, as previously announced, will ramp up its penetration to eventually become a fifth of the merchandise mix. Already several merchandise "appetizers" are in the stores, like 464-count sheets from Italy. Restoration looks to offer quality textiles at a good value, Friedman said.

Remodeling begins the week of March 10, and will take about seven days per store, he said, with 70 percent of the highest volume stores completed by April 9th. All stores will remain open at this time.